Monday 19 July 2010

Mrs Harris Dreams of Paris

The relaunch of this novel and it being Paris in July meant it had to be read and read now. Which passages spoke most to me? Why the dresses and the flowers. So today it's dresses of the imagination.

'One was a bit of heaven in cream, ivory, lace and chiffon, the other an explosion in crimson satin and taffeta, adorned with great red bows and a huge red flower.'

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' There was rhyme or reason for it, she would never wear such a creation, there was no place in her life for one. Her reaction was purely feminine. She saw it and she wanted it dreadfully... She could only stand there entralled, rapt, and enchanted, gazing at the dresses...'


Dior Spring 2007
' She was...engrossed in these living creations of silks and taffetas and chiffons in heart-lifting colours...'

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'...beauty, perfection, the ultimate in adornment that a woman could desire. Mrs Harris was no less a woman than Lady Dant, or any other. She wanted, she wanted, she wanted a dress from what must be surely the most expensive shop in the world, that of Mr Dior in Paris.'

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' The more she tried to think of other things the more the Dior dress intruded into her conciousness, and she lay there in the darkness, shivering and craving for it.... she could... imagine it hanging there. The colour and the materials kept changing, sometimes she saw it in gold brocade, at other times in pink or crimson satin, or white with ivory laces. But always it was the most beautiful and expensive thing of its kind.'

8 comments:

  1. Lovely dresses! I loved this book and watched the film at the weekend - it wasn't anything special but very gentle and relaxing.

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  2. Can't you just imagine loosing yourself in the layers and layers of that first dress? Seeing one like that does bring about an almost primal response - can't justify it but must still have it!

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  3. the top one makes me excited to wear my big tulle wedding dress on the big day (so soon!)! perhaps I'll pick up the book. xx, Jane

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  4. Don't you just feel like this book deserves a really big budget movie adaptation? Apparently there was a made-for-TV version with Angela Landsbury. But I want a period film with over the top recreations of vintage Dior collections.

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  5. 'There was no place in her life for it ... but she wanted it anyway'. How many times have I felt like that about an article of clothing - particularly dresses!

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  6. I must read this... beautiful quotes, beautiful dresses!

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  7. Oh yes a modern film would be fantastic with all dior and would sure to be a best seller. So glad you all enjoyed this post.

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  8. I love those dresses!! WOW! And the quotes are excellent! I have to read this book - it sounds perfect for the summer. What a great read for Paris in July!

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Ooh how lovely more stripes on the page...
Thank you for taking the time.